Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease is a rare illness that causes inflammation of blood vessels and can potentially lead to serious damage of the arteries fueling the heart. It most commonly occurs in young children under the age of 5 and is more prevalent in boys than girls. Kawasaki disease can also affect the lymph nodes and cause severe inflammation of mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose, and throat.

Kawasaki Disease Causes & Symptoms

There is no single definitive cause of Kawasaki disease. It is often thought that genetics play a part in the development of it. Certain ethnicities also tend to be more prone to it, such as children of Asian or Pacific Island descent.

Symptoms of Kawasaki disease typically appear in phases over several weeks:

1st phase:

A fever higher than 102 and lasting more than 3 days
Red, irritated eyes with discharge
Rash on the main trunk of the body, palms of hands, or soles of feet
Extremely, red, swollen tongue
Swollen, red skin on palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
Swollen lymph nodes

2nd phase:

Peeling of skin from a rash on the body, hands, and feet
Joint pain
Diarrhea
Vomiting or abdominal pain

Diagnosis

If your child is suffering from a combination of these symptoms, most notably a high fever for more than 4 or 5 days, it is important to see a physician.

There is no single test to confirm Kawasaki disease, especially since symptoms are so similar to those of other illnesses, but the following can help lead to a diagnosis:

Blood tests to check for swelling and inflammation throughout the body
Electrocardiogram (or EKG) to monitor heart function

If there is any distress to the heart because blood vessels and arteries are not working properly, then immediate medical attention may be required.